Conveyer system



May 2l, 1935. s. T. HART ET AL 2,002,009

CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed Dec. 30, 193D ll Sheets-Sheet l May 21, 1935. s.T. HART Er AL 2,002,009

CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed Deo. 50, 1930 l1 Sheets-Sheet 2 S. T. HART ET ALCONVEYER SYSTEM May 2l, 1935.

Filed Dec. 50, 1930 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 May 21,-1935. s. T. HART ET A1.

CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed Dec, 30, 1930 1l Sheec.s-Sheerl 4 May 21, 1935. s.T. HART .E1- AL CONVEYER SY STEM 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 30, 1930May 21, 1935. s. T. HART r AL CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed Dec. 30, 1930 l1Sheets-Sheet 6 May 2l, 1935. s. T. HART, l-:r AL 2,002,009

' QONVEYER SYSTEM 1 Filed Dec. 30,` 1930 ll Sheets-Sheet '7 A May 21,1935. s T, HART T T AL 2,002,009

GONVEYER SYSTEM l1 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Deo. 30, 1930 4 M22 @a /Wear@Wp/WMM 1 `my 21, 1,935."l

s. T. HART Er AL CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed Dec. 30, 1930 ll'Sheebs-Sheet 9 YMay 21, 1935.

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. s. T. HART Erm.

CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed Dec. 30, 1930 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 -May 21, 1.935.s, T, HART ET AL 2,002,009

CONVEYER SYSTEM Filed Dec. so, 195o l1J. sheets-sheet 11 v Patented May21, 1935` j 2,002,009 l CONVEYER SYSTEM Simeon T. Hart and Willard A.Marcy, Syracuse, N. Y., assignors to The Lamson Company, Syracuse, N.Y., a corporation of Massachusetts Application December3'0, 1930, SerialNo.`505,576

` 22 claims.

This invention relates to a conveyer system by which articles ormaterials are transported Vertically, as between different floors of abuildinghsuch a system being of the general type wherein cars moveupwardly and/ordownwardly past several article transfer stations`atvvhich articles may be despatched toor ejected from passing cars. Insome aspects the `invention relates to article transfer stations adaptedto` receive articlesfejected from continuously moving cars .and alsoequipped for receiving articles to be despatched and for despatchingsuch articles in properly timed relation to lodge the same in certa-incompartments of` passing cars. Other aspects relate more particularly tofeatures of article receivingstations and of article despatchingapparatus. The invention also pertains to cars and to means for ejectingarticles from cars in properly timed relation at selected orpredetermined stations. Still further aspects of the invention vrelateto the mode of operating and of controlling a system of this kind,I andalsoto the improved construction and arrangement of parts of theapparatus. 4 Objects of the invention are to improvei the art. ofconveying articles vertically by providing improved means for effecting`the transfer of articles lto and from article conveying cars; toprovide irniproveclecars for these purposes as well as improved meansfor ejecting larticles from cars: suitable forrsys'tems of this generalclass; to increase the utility of systems of this kind by providing forselectively ejecting articles from I ventionj Fig. 2 is a diagrammaticAView illustrating one manner ci operating the system shown in Fig.` 1;

Fig'. 3 is a sectional elevationfof a modiiied forni of conveyer system;Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation of oneoi the receiving chutes `shown inFig. 3; f i.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View with parts omitted and other parts brokenaway further to illustrate the lapparatus shownin Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. `6 is-a 4side elevation of anelevator -car which may be used lwiththe system shown in either Fig. 1 or, Fig. 3;

Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively top plan and end elevational views of thecar shown in. Fig. 6; l Fig. 9 is an enlarged section showing thedespatching stations for both the upgoing and downgoing cars of a systemof the types shown in either Fig. 1 or Fig. 3; Fig. 10 is a view similarto Fig. 9 but showing the movable parts in different relative positions;

`Fig. 11 is a section through the despatching and receiving stations forthe upgoing and downgoing sides yof a conveyer system of the type shownin Fig. 1; l 0

Fig. 12 is a rear elevation with parts broken away of a despatch stationfor the upgoing side of a conveyer system of the type shown in eitherFigs. 1 0r 3; Y

Fig. 13is a section showing the despatching and receiving stations onthe upgoing and downgoing sides of the system and showing carsappreaching the stations and illustrating the mode of operation of thisapparatus;

Fig.` 14 is a diagrammatic View showing the Wiring diagram for a timercircuit and illustrating the manner in which this circuit may beemployed for controlling the transfer articles from a car to a remotestation; and

Fig.15 is a wiring diagram for a conveyer system of the type illustratedin the preceding figures.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 a number ofarticle carrying cars I0 are mounted in suitably spaced relation uponendless `chains I I, the latter being trained over upper and lowersprockets I2 and I3 located respectively at the upper and lowerends ofthe elevator well I4. This Well extends past various iioors, as forexample those designated b y the numerals I6,`I1 and I8, and on eachiioor adjacent the well on the upgoingand downgoing side areprovidedarticle transfer stations. The stations 2!) on the floors IB and I 1 forboth the upgoing and downgoing sides of the conveyer are of the typeillustrated in Fig. 11. On the top i'ioor I8 there `is provided on theupgoin'g side a receiving station 2| only and on the downgoing side adespatching station 22 only, the latter preferably beingof the typeillustrated `on the right in Figs. 9 and 10. A driving motor 23 ismounted at the top of the well and connected I The apparatus fordespatching articles to upgoing or downgoing cars may, as illustrated'inFigs. 9 and 10, comprise cabinets 26 and 21, the top walls 28 and 29 ofthese cabinets being tted with a plurality of article receiving inletshere shown in the form of chutes 3l and 32 inclined downwardly towardsthe well it. These chutes are preferably arranged in a transverse rowacross the top of each cabinet, being spaced for delivering articles tocertain compartments of each of the cars iii. Article receivingplatforms or racks 33 and 3ft are arranged below the chutes, oneplatform being disposed below each chute in position to receive anarticle therefrom. The platforms 33 are each mounted to pivot on. abracket 35 and provided with a colmterbalance 31 which is affixed to arearwardly extending. portion of the platform and arranged normally tobalance an empty or unloaded platform in an upwardly inclined position,as shown in Fig. 9, the forward or outer edge 38 of the platformbeingvout of the path of travel of passing cars throughv the well.Similarly the platforms 34 in the cabinet 2 are each mounted to pivot ona bracket 39and provided with a counterbalance il which` is likewisearranged to balance this platform when empty or unloaded in an upwardlyinclined positionv out of the path of travel of downgoing cars.

A rotary shaft or rock shaft 42 is mounted in a bracket 43 aiiixed tothe rear wall of the cabinet l2t., An operating leverlfi, fixed fast onthis shaft is provided with an operating handle 46 projecting through aslot inthe top wall of the cabinet. Depending arms El are spacedlongitudinally along the shaft iand affixed thereto at pointssubstantially in alignment with the platforms 33. Each of these armscarries at its lower end a lug or abutment member F58 which is adaptedto register with and to be received within a cutaway portion 59 in thecounterbalance 3i' when the parts are arranged in the manner shown inFig. 9. Also spaced longitudinally along the shaft l2 at pointsbehin'deach of the platforms 33 are cam members 5l, these cams being fast onthis shaft. A latch member 52 is mounted to pivot intermediate its endsas at 53 and has a beak or lip 5d which is engageable under someconditions with the cam 5l. The latch member is normally urged in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, by a coil spring 53which seats in recesses provided in the member 52 and in its supportingbracket 55. An arm 5S aixed to theshaft 42 is connected at its outer endto a tension spring 57, the upper end of this spring being attached toany xed support, as to a bracket 58 carried by the top wall of thecabinet.

Adjacent the upper end of the lever 44a rod 59 is aiiixed thereto andarranged to extend sub-l stantially parallel to the shaft 32. In casetwo levers lill are provided, as illustrated in Fig. 5, this rod isaffixed to both of these levers. A plurality of bars Bl, one for each ofthe inlet chutes 3|, are pivotally mounted onthe rod 53 at points behindthese chutes. At their forward ends the bars are loosely supported inguide bracketsiSE and are receivable in openings 33 formed in thechutes. The shaft i2 also has affixed thereon an arm-3:1 which isadapted on movement to actuate the arm 56 of a circuit maker 6l. of anywellknown type. As'niany of the parts just described are also arrangedin the cabinet 2l in substantially the4 same'manner, such parts will notbe platforms 33 and 34 at a height less than that of the articles tobereceived and transferred to passing cars. The lower portions of thesechutes are therefore eifective for supporting articles or for preventingsuch articles from sliding down the inclined platforms. In order topermit such articles to be transferred from these platforms the forwardwall of each of the chutes is cut away, as indicated at 'li and 72, sothat the articles may be pushed forwardly across the platforms throughthe front side of the chutes. For moving the articles in this mannerthere are provided article engaging means in the form of rollers 73, Mmounted upon shafts "i3, il extending transversely behind the positionsoccupied by articles disposed on the platforms. The shaft '16 is carriedby a pair of arms 'i8 mounted to Ipivot at i9 in the lower portion ofthe cabinet 26. Likewise the shaft 'il' is carried by a pair of arms 8f!mounted to pivot at 82 in the base of the cabinet 2l.

For imparting an oscillatory motion to the arms 18 and 8l thereisprovided in each cabinet a moto-r reduction set. The set shown in thecabinet 23 comprises a driving motor 83 equipped with a solenoid brake84 and connected to a speed reducing unit 86. Power is delivered fromthe rotary driven member 8l of this reducing set through a crank arm 88to a link 39 connected to the arms 18, these parts being so arrangedthat on each complete revolution of the driven member 8'1 the arms areso moved as to cause the article engaging rollers 'i3 to traverse theplatform`33 substantially to the forward edge thereof and to return tothe position shown in Fig. 9. When in this position the shaft 'i9 bearson the forward end of the latch member 52 to depress the latter, asshown in Fig. 9. Likewise the motor reduction set furnished with thecabinet 27 comprises a driving motor 83', a solenoid brake 84', and aspeed reducing unit 8G', the latter having its driven member 8lconnected through a crank arm 33 and a link 39 to the arms Bl.

The forward side of each of the cabinets 25, 21 is substantially open,as shown in Fig. 9, and a deflector guide Si is inclined upwardly toward.the well at the upper side of the cabinet 23 for directing or guidingarticles onto a passing car should such articles project slightly intothe cabinet. Similarly in the cabinet 2l on the downgoing side there isprovided a deector guide 92. To facilitate movement of articles acrossthe platforms 33 and 3ft the latter preferably are in the form of spacedrails which support a number of rollers 93, 94. Guide rails 93 and 9i'are also arranged to extend along the sides of these platforms forguiding articles as they are transferred to passing cars. A block 38 ofyieldable or elastic material, suchas rubber, is mounted upon a fixedsupport to engage the platform 33 to eliminate noise and vibration andto assist in holding the platform snugly in the position shown in Fig.9. This platform is also movable downwardly or in a clockwise directionabout its pivot against a fixed support 99 which is also provided with ayieldable pad lili of rubber or the like. When in the latter position,as shown in Fig. l0, the article receiving platform 33 may be stillslightly inclined but the forward edge 38 thereof projects r asufficient distance into the well Hl to be in the path of travel of theupgoing cars.

The platform 34 in the cabinet 21 is also movable downwardly or in acounterclockwlse direction about its pivot from its upper position,

. well Ill.

wherein the outer edge |02 thereof is spaced inwardly from the well toan intermediate position, such as that shown in Fig. 10, wherein theplatform may still be slightly inclined but with the outer edge |02thereof projecting into. the well I4 for engagement with downwardlytraveling cars. For assisting in supporting the platform 34 in thisposition, a lever |03 is mounted to pivot at |04 on a fixed support andcarries atits upper or forward end a roller |06 which is engageable witha pad |01 Aaiiixed to the lower side of the platform 34. At its lowerend the lever |03 carries a counterbalance weight |08. A bar |09 ismounted upon the frame in the path of movement of the lever |03 at apoint to limit upward movement of the roller |06 when the latter attainssubstantially the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The weight |08therefore does not become effective for counterbalancing any tendency ofthe platform 34 to descend until the latter arrives substantially at itsintermediate or article transferring position, as shown in Fig. 1'0.

As previously pointed out herein, article despatching apparatus of thetype illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 is intended to be used in the systemsof the type shown in Fig. 1 as well as that shownin Fig.`3. When used ina system such as that shown in Fig. 1, each of the cabinets 26 for thefloors It andV I'I is also provided with a gravity roller section I Imounted to pivot at I I2 and adapted to swing from an upper inclinedposition, as shown in Fig. 11, downwardly or in a clockwise directionabout its pivot to an approximately horizontal position wherein theouter edge I I3 projects` into the well a suflicient distance to beengageable with upwardly passing cars so as to be movable in unisontherewith. The gravity roller section is also equipped with `acounterweight ||4 and `is arranged to deliver articles to a stationaryroller section ||6 from which they may be removed in any approvedmanner. Apparatus for receiving articles from downgoing cars ispreferably arranged above each of the cabinets 2l on the floors I6 andI'I and comprises a stationary gravity roller section I which may extendsubstantially horizontally from` the Preferably the section I I1 isequipped with a plurality, as for example with three circuit breakersIIS. These circuit breakers are spaced so that when this platform isfilled, for example with three boxes or articles, each circuit breakerwill be actuated and when all of the circuit breakers are actuated thedriving motor' 23 which operates the cars will be stopped. On the upperfloor I8 the article transfer station 2| for the upgoing side comprisesonly the article receiving apparatus |I'I just described. On this samefloor on the downgoing side obviously there is no'article receivingstation, but the article despatching station 22 is similar in allrespects tothe apparatus illustrated on the right in Figs;` 9 and 10.

In the system illustrated in Fig. 3, the article despatching apparatusis enclosed inlcabinetspZB and 21 and is similar in all respects to thatdescribed with reference to Figs. 9 and 10. In this system, however, thearticle receiving-apparatus cles or boxes into theflower or dependingportion of the chute.` 'The chute shown is adapted to` contain six boxesor articles of the type which might be conveyed in a system of thiskind. As shown more clearly in` Fig. 5, these chutes are.

also divided vertically into compartments'corresponding tothecompartments in the car which conveys the articles. Preferably eachcompartment of the chute has vertically spaced sigh openings |20., f

For retarding or breaking the fall of descendlng articles, a number ofretarding devices |23 are provided at points spaced along the` chute.Each of these devices comprises a dash-pot |24 and a'. rocker `|23 whichis adapted normally to,

A partition or wall |28 extends transversely across the lower end of thechute and is provided with a cushion I 29 on which the articles rest,the outer or front wall of the chute adjacent the lower end thereofbeing cut away, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, to permit removal ofarticles from the cushion |29.

At its lower end each compartmentof the chute is equipped with a spacerarm |3| mounted to pivot at |32 and having a beak |33 at its upper endand an inwardly curved tail |34 at its `lower end. These parts are soconstructed and arranged that When an article is disposed on the cushion|29 this article will also engage the inwardly curved tail 34 andthereby force the beak intothe chute at a point above the articleresting on the cushion |29 so as to form an abutment or support for thenext article descending through the chute and thereby tospace sucharticle and hold the latter out of engagement with an.A article inposition to be removed. This greatly facilitates the removal ofarticles, for by means o-f this construction each article reposing atthe lower end of the? chute is freely removable therefrom regardless ofthe number of articles in the upper portion of the chute. Also anarticle reposing in the lower end of the chute is adapted to hold thetail piece |34 in position to actuate a circuit makerA |35 whichoperates a` signal device |35 by which an operator may be informed ofthe arrival of an article.

The cars I0 for the systems illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, may be of thetype shown in'Figs. 6, 7 and 8. The body of these cars is provided withsubstantially op'en sides to permit articles to be loaded or unloadedfrom either side of the cars. In the present instance the body o-r framecomprises longitudinalside members I 3E which are connected to endframes I 31', the latter being equipped with upwardly directed centrallydisposed brackets |38 on which are fitted trunnidns |39 by which theframes are mounted upon the chains (Fig. 1). Substantially triangularframes MI. depend from each end frame and are bored toreceive a shaft|42` which is pinned to' the frames and extends longitudinallysubstantially on the` vertical center line of the car.

Spaced longitudinally along the side frames |36 are substantiallyvertical transverse partition members |43 arranged to provide aplurality of article carrying compartments having open endsand'preferably also being open on the upperside.

Within each of these compartments, vand spaced from each of the sidewalls thereof, floor strips |44 extend transversely between the sideframes for supporting the articles.

`Below each compartment a block |46 is mounted to oscillate on the shaft|42. Each block is provided with upwardly directed ears |41 to which arefixed a pair of substantially parallel bars or arms |158, these armsbeing adapted to extend through the slots or openings, formed by thefloor plate and the partitions |43, upwardly alongthe side walls of thesuperposed compartment to a point somewhat below the upper edge thereof.At their upper ends the arms |48 are connected by an article engagingmeans which may be in the form of a bar |49 and the latter may also berotatably mounted on the arms |43 if so desired. Extending transverselyacross the upper side walls of each compartment are buffer strips |5|-of yieldable or elastic material such as rubber. These strips arepreferably spaced relatively close to the course of travel of the member|55 so that as the latter passes through a compartment from one end tothe other thereof the buffer strips |5| will assist in steadying thearticle as it is moved out of the compartment as well as in steadyingand guiding the article as it is transferred into the compartment by oneof the despatching stations previously described herein.

Each block |55 is also equipped with laterally extending substantiallyparallel bars |52 and |53, the latter being mounted above the shaft |42and the former below this shaft, although of course it will beunderstood that this arrangement may be reversed. Preferably these barsare of substantially equal length and are so positioned as to besubstantially perpendicular to the arms |48. When a compartment of thecar is loaded with an article, such as the box as shown in Fig. 8, theparts will be so arranged that the lower bar |52 will project laterallya greater distance than l the upper bar |53, on the left side of thecar, as

Viewed in this figura/while on the right side the upper bar |53 willproject laterally to the right a greater distance than the lower bar|52. The side frames of the car are equipped with angles |54 whichproject laterally thereof for engagement with various abutments, such ascircuit breakers and the like disposed in the well for engagement withpassing cars. The 'end frames of the car may also be tted withanti-friction rollers |55 and with guide blocks |57, the latter beingadapted to ride in guideways or guide-channels formed in the ends of thewell.

With cars of the type just described it will be observed that thearticle ejecting or removing means comprise the members |49 and theirassociated parts by which they are connected to the rotary blocks M5 andthe bars |52 and |53 by which these blocks may be oscillated about thekshaft |42, all carried by the car, and that the ejecting apparatus foreach 'compartment of the car is independently operable. With thisconstruction it becomes possible to remove automatically the article orarticles from any one or all of the compartments at any predeterminedreceiving station. The manner in which the ejecting apparatus functionsto accomplish this result is illustrated in Fig. 13, wherein the upgoingcar i0' is illustrated as having just passed an abutment means |58. Asthe car approached this abutment meansy |58 the article ejecting meansoccupied the position shown. in the dotted lines in this figure and alsoillustrated in Fig. 8. `With the ejecting means in this position, theouter end of the upper bar |53 just cleared an abutment |53 but theouter end of the lower bar |52 engaged this abutment and therefore thelower bar became eiective as the car moved upwardly to rock the block|46 about the shaft |42 and thereby to swing the arms |43 in acounterclockwise direction or to the left as viewed in Fig. 13. Thismovement of the article ejecting means was effective therefore toremovean article from the compartment illustrated. At approximately thesame time that the bar |52 engaged the abutment |53, the side angle |56engaged the projecting outer edge i3 of the hinged gravity rollersection I of the station shown in Fig. ll so as to cause this gravityroller section to move upwardly in unison with the car and thus toremain in register therewith during transfer of the article to thisreceiving station.

In orderto prepare the car to receive an article from the superposed`article despatching apparatus such as Vthat illustrated in Fig. 11should it be desired to load an article at this point, an abutment |55is positioned on the opposite side of the car on a central verticalpartition extending through the well. This abutment is so located as topermit the upper bar |53 to pass but to engage the projecting end of thelower bar |52, anddue to such engagement as the car continues its upwardcourse to cause the article ejecting apparatus to swing in a clockwisedirection so as to return to the position shown in Fig. 8, in whichcondition the car is about ready to be loaded. As the car il continuesits upward course to the dot and dash line position, it engages theprojecting edge 38 ofl the platform 33 and moves the latter upwardly inunison therewith during transfer of an article from the platform 33 tothe car. It will also be observed that as an article is transferrredfrom this platform to the car the transverse member |f|9 of the ejectingapparatus serves as an abutment or stop to prevent over-travel of sucharticle as it is forced or thrust into a compartment of the car.

` As each car, such as the car lll', approaches the upper limit of itstravel, at the receiving station 2| illustrated in Fig. l, the ejectingapparatus lis'operated by an abutment such as the abutment |58 but noabutment corresponding to the abutment |55 is provided at this point,for it will be seen that as the car descends the ejecting apparatus mustoccupy the position shown in the full lines on the car l5 illustrated onthe downgoing side of the well in Fig. 13. As this car approaches anarticle receiving platform, such as the roller section (Figs. l1 and13), the ejecting apparatus is operated in a manner similar to that justdescribed, rst by engagement with an abutment |5| which transfers thearticle to the platform lil, and then by engagement with an abutment |52which returns the ejecting apparatus to the position shown in full lineson the car Ill, in which condition this car is ready to be loaded by thearticle despatching apparatus which it is approaching.

This article despatching apparatus is of the type illustrated at theright in Figs. 9, 10 and l1. As the car descends, the side angle |55thereof engages the outer projecting edge |52 of the platform 34| andcarries this platform downwardly substantially to the dot and dash lineposition illustrated in Fig. 13, thereby moving the platform against theinfluence of the counterbalance weight |88 and maintaining the platformin register withy the car during transfer of an article u register withtheplatform. As the arms 13 move v'aooaooo onto the car. n will alsobeobserve'd that when the platform is in the dot and dash line"position, the outer edge|02 thereof has swung inwardly sufliciently topermit the car to pass by after` which the counterbalance weight |08'becomes effective through the lever |03 to return the platform 34 atleast to its intermediate or article transferring position, as shown inFig. 10, from which it is'returned by the counterbalance 4| to thenormal position shown in Fig. 9. During downward movement of thisplatform as just described, it 'will be seenthat the counterbalanceweight |08 serves tomaintain the outer'edge |02 of the platform in firmengagement with the side angle of the car and therefore assures propel"registry of these parts during' the period in which articles aretransferred. l

In the operation of article despatching apparatus for'the upgoing side,such as `the apparatus enclosed in the cabinet 26 shown on the left inFigs. 9 and 10, articles such as boxes |60 are deposited in variousinlet chutes 3| provided at this particular station, the parts beingarranged at this time in the position shown'in Fig. 9. As an articlepasses through each chute 3| onto the platform 33, it actuates a circuitmaker |63 mounted upon the platform, At this time the abutment 48 on thearm 41 is disposed in the recessed or cut-away portion 49 of thecounterbalance 31 and is yieldably held in this position by the tensionVspring 51 which tends to urge the shaft 4'2 in a counterclockwisedirection, thereby holding the operating lever 44 in a substantiallyvertical position. The platform 33 therefore is r' locked in its upperor inclined position substantially as shown in Fig. `9 wherein theouteredge 38 of this platform is spaced'inwardly from. the well |4. To placethe platform in condition for transferring an article thereon toapassing car, the lever 44 `is moved in a clockwise direction, as viewedin Fig. 9, substantially to the position shown in Fig. 10. Thismovementof vthe lever 44 is effective to remove the abutment 48 from therecess 49 and thus to permit the platform 33 to descend under theinfluence `of the weight of the article diposed thereon to its articletransferring position in which the platform rests upon the pad carriedby the fixed abutment 99. This same movement of the lever 44 alsocarried the rod 59 forwardly orto the rightand thus moved the bar 6|associated with each chute forwardly through the opening 6.3 into thechute soA as to obstruct the pasage of other or additional articles intothe .chute while an article is disposed therein ready'for despatch to anapproaching car. At the same time the circuit maker 66 is actuated bythe'arm 64. y

l As a car approaches this vs tation an angle |54 thereon engages acircuit maker' |64 mounted in lthe well, which circuit makergbecomeseffective in'aI manner to be described more fully hereinbelow to actuatethe motor 83 at the proper time to cause the arms 18 :andthe articleengaging rollers 13 to move transversely across the platform 33 to forceor push an article disposed thereon onto a passing car while the latteris in forwardly to` initiate this article transferring movement, theshafti' releases the latch mem- -Y ber 52 so that the spring 50 becomeseifectiveto move this member in acounterclockwiseA direction intointerlocking engagement with the cam this cam having been moved to aposition to permit this, as shown in Fig. 10. The latch memi y ber,therefore, `cooperates withythe cam 5|to lock the shaft 42, thefievr44,"and theb'ars si in the position shown in Fig. 10 so as to hold thebars 6| in position to obstruct the passage of articles through theinlet chutes 3| until the article engaging means 13 andthe shaft 16return to the position shown in Fig. 9. In-return ing the shaft 1B againrides over the forward end of thelatch member 52 and depresses thelatter so that the beak 54 of this member is disengaged from the cam 5|and the spring 51 then becomes effective to. rotate the shaft 42 in acounterclockwise direction and to return the parts to the position shownin Fig. 9. `As soon as an article is transferred from the platform 33,the counterbalance 31- becomes effective to cause vthis platform toreturn to its upper` or inclined position, substantially as shown inFig. 9, so that the lug 48'may again be received in the cutaway orrecessed portion 49 of the counterweight. It will be understood that theoperation of these parts as described with respect `to the removal `ofan article from the platform, takes place substan;l tiallysimultaneously. In case some of the chutes 3| Vat a station are notloaded with articles, the platforms 33 associated' with these chutes"remain in their upper or inclined positions, as shown inFig. 9,andthearticle engaging means 13 passes back and forth freely above theseplatforms. r c ,Y

The despatching apparatus for the downgoiiig side, as shown in thecabinet 21 on the right in Fig. 9, operates substantially in thesamemanner as that previously described with the exception that the platform34 is moved under Ithe weight of 'an article disposed thereonfrom itsupper inclined position to an intermediate or article transferringposition, substantially as shown in Fig. 10, and then upon engagementwith a passing car is depressed further to the dot and dash lineposition (Fig.` 13). 'f

The manner of operating a system of the types described may be furtherillustrated by means of the diagram vshown in Fig. 2. In this view thecharacters O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, and Y indicate inlet chutes onthe upgoing side. Likee wise the characters O', P', Q', R'., S', T', U',V', W', X', and Y', at the top, of the diagram indip cate inlet chutesserving the Vdowngoing side.-

The stations served from inlet O on the upgoing side are3, 4, 5 and 6;The inlet P en this side serves merely station A and articles arerelayed from this station to stations 4, 5 ,and,6. The inlet Q servesonly station 2 and articles are re layed from this station to station 4.The inlet R serves station from which articles are relayed to station 6.No other inlets are provided onthe B level on the'upgoing side.

On the A level the inlet S serves station from which articles arerelayed to station 2 and then articles are again relayed from thisstation to station 6. Likewise the inlet T on the A level serves station3 from which articles are relayed to station 6. .The inlet U on the Alevel serves station 2 from which articles are relayed tosta-4 tion 3,being again relayed from this station' to station 5 `and thence tostation 6. There are no other inlet chutes on the A level on the upgoingside. u g On the rst floor level the inlet V serves station 3 from whicharticles are relayed to station 4 and again tostation 5. The inlet W onthe first floor level serves station 4 `from which articles are relayedtostation 6. The inlet X ,on the first floor level serves station 5only. No other inlets are provided on the first floor level. `On thesecond floor level the inletv Yv serves only station 5. lThis completesthe arrangement or inlets for despatching articles on the upgoing sideof the apparatus. Y

v.,On following outgthe arrangement shown on the downgoing side, it willbe seen that the inlet O' on the sixth floor level serves stations 2, I,A and B. The inlet P serves station from which articles are relayed tostations 2, I, `A,.and B. The inlet Q' serves station l from whicharticles are lrelayed to the B level. The inlet R serves station 3 fromwhich articles are relayed directlyY to ,the B level. on the fifth floorlevel. The inlet S serves station 4 from which .articles are relayeddirectly to stationl and again from the latter station to .station A andthen from station A to station B. The inlet Tserves station 3 directlyand articles may be relayed from this station to station land `then tothe B level. Stations U', V', and W areon the fourth iloor level.Station U serves station 2 from which articles are relayed to stationStation V serves station 3 from which articles are relayed to station 2and thence to the B level. Inlet W serves the A level only.

'I'he inlet X is on the third floor level and serves the A level only.The inlet Y' is on the second iloor level and serves .the A level only.

It will be observed that with an arrangement such as that illustrated inFig. 2 it is necessary for a single inlet, as the inlet O on the B levelon the upgoing side to serve a plurality of stations. In order toaccomplish this with a car of the type illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8,the abutment means |58 which actuate the article ejecting means are'arranged to be movable in response to a remote control apparatus.Referring to the diagrammatic illustration shown in Fig. 14, it will beseen that an upwardly traveling car I8" has passed an abutment means |58on the third iioor level and the ejecting apparatus is about to beactuated by an abutment |58 on the fourth floor level. These abutmentsare mounted to be movable by solenoids |56. It will be understood thatvas the solenoids |65 are energized the abutment means |58 is movedthereby into the path of an approaching car. In order to energize eachsolenoid in properly timed relation there is provideda timing device |51of the type disclosed in the patent to Spooner, No. 1,528,227, datedMarch 3, 1925.

The circuit for energizing the solenoid comprises the leads |68 and |99from the main line, the latter lead being normally open at .a switch|1|. The timer circuit includes the lead |12 from the main 19, thenormally open switch |13, which is adapted to be closed by the timer.|91 at the proper instant, and 'the line |14 which leads through thecircuit breaker |18 back to the main |11. It will be seen that as lthetiming switch |13 is closed a circuit is completed through a relay |18which closes the switch .|19 and also the switch |1.|, the latter switchcompleting the circuit through the solenoid |68 and energizing the samewhile the switch |19 cuts the timing device |81 out ofthe circuit. Bothof these switches are held closed by the relay |18 until such time asthe car lll has delivered its load to the station and has passed far`enough beyond this station to trip the circuit'breaker |16 which breaks.the circuit through the solenoid and also through the holding relay:|18 thereby restoring the parts to their rst mentioned position.`

In Fig. 15 isY illustrated a wiring kdiagram 'for a station of a systemembodying this invention.

The inlet S and T' are The .main driving motor V23 is connected 'acrossthe .mains IBI, |82 by the lead |83 and the lead |84, the Vlatter leadbeing connectible to the motor through the main starter switch |88 andlead |81. A solenoid |88 is connected across the motor for operating asolenoid brake on the main drive in the usual manner. `From the lead |84a circuit leads through the parallel circuits |9|, |92 and the line |93to the main |82. A holding relay |915 `is. interposed in the line |93for controlling the starter switch |86 and a switch |96 interposed inthe circuit |92. A starting button or switch |91 is interposed in thecircuit |9| so that fon depressing this button the circuit |9| iscompleted and the holding relay |96 becomes effective to close theswitches |95 and |86, thereby completing the motor circuit and alsocompleting the circuit through the lead |93 back to the main |82. A pushbutton |98 is connected in the line |93 lat each floor station so thatby operating this button the main drive may be stopped. A safety circuitbreaker |99 is also interposed in the line |93 at each despatch station.Ihese circuit breakers are located at the respective despatch stationsto be engageable and operable with loads which are improperly placed onlthe cars so as to overhang the same. The circuit breakers I8 shown inFig. 1l are connected in parallel in the line 98 as shown, hence whenall three of the circuit breakers ||8 are actuated the circuit is brokenthrough this line.

The .solenoid |66 for actuating the movable abutment .means at thevarious stations are carried to the -main line by leads |88, |69 forminga circuit controllable by va switch |1|. The timing circuit forcontrolling these solenoids is indicated as comprising a lead 292 whichis connected through the parallel circuits 293 and 298 to the main `Ill.The circuit breakers |16 are interposed in the lead 202 as are also theholding relays |18. The switches |19 are interposed in the circuit :293while the timer actuated switches |13 are interposed in the circuits294. Power for operating the timer is supplied from the mains 18| andv|82 through the leads 206 and 29,1. The charging solenoid for thetiming device is .indicated at 298 as .being interposed in a line 299which leads through a vswitch 2| and the circuit maker |54 to lthe main|82.

.At each floor station apush button or normally open switch .2|2 isinterposed in la circuit 2|3 connected across .the mains 18| and |82. Arelay .2id is also .interposed in this circuit for actuating a switch2|.6 in a parallel circuit 2|? as well as .for :actuating .the switch2|9and a switch 2| 8 disposed in a circuit 223. The circuits 2| 3 alsoinclude .the "circuit makers |63 mounted upon the platforms of thedespatching stations to .be actuated by articles resting thereon, andthe circuit makers or switches |51 which are actuated by the arms 64 inFig. 9 to break the circuit and as these arms are moved by the levers 44vto the position shown in Fig. l0 the levers 66 are released and thecircuit is completed at this point. As the platforms'S'S or Sli (Figs.9, l0 and 11) vreturn to' ltheir inclined or upper positions, they.actuate ra circuit breaker 222 interposed in the circuit 'ZI-3 andthereby break this circuit. It will be understood that as soon as thebutton 42|2 is depressed, .and assuming that the various switches .andcircuit makers G1 and |93 are in position to fcloseY the circuit, thesame is completed through the relay 2M which closes the switchesZfl,.-2110 and '2198. Closing of the switch 21|) does :not 'complete thecircuit through the line 209 until an approaching Scary actuats lthecircuit maker-|64, at whichtime Athe 'charging solenoid 22S ofthe timingdevice |61 is'energized to render this apparatus effective so that aftera predetermined time interval the switch yl'l3 will be closed by thistiming device,-and as previously pointed out, this will cause the switchIll to close and thereby energize the solenoid |66 to move the abutmentmeans |58 (Fig. 14) into a position for engagement with an approachingcar. As soon as the car passesthe station toy the uppermost positionindicated: byl dot-and dash lines in Fig. 14, the c ircuitbreaker |16will be actuated to break theV circuit through the relay llt, therebypermitting` the switch to open and thus toi deenergize the solenoid` 'I6and permit the abutment means .|58 to return to its normal positionwherein it is out of the` path of travel of passing cars. v f 1 Theswitch 2| 8 previously referred to'is inla circuit 223which leads fromthe main I8 lthrough a circuit `maker 224, a4 relay 226, and-.a 'circuitbreaker 22'i to the line :|22 It will be understood that when the switch2 |8 is closed, and assuming that the circuit maker 225i hasbeen'actuated by an lupgoing car approaching'. a ldespatch station, thiscircuit is completed `through .the relay 226 which actuates the switches228 and 229 to close the same. The switch 228' when closed completes acircuit through the lead 23|r through the motor 83 and back to the linethrough the wire 2&2. The solenoid 233 foractuating the solenoid brake34 is connected across the terminals of the motor and is thereforeenergized vto release the bra-ke as the motor circuit is corn.- pletecl.As the arms "i8 (Fig. 9), which carry the article engaging means 23,approach their` position of rest after transferringan article. as shownin Fig. 9, these arms actuate the circuit breaker 22'l and thereby breakthe circuit throughthe holding relay 22%, permitting the switches 228and 229 to open so as to breakthemotor circuit `and also the circuitthroughV the solenoid 233 to stop this apparatus abruptly.

The corresponding circuit for stations on the downgo-ing side of thesystem is indicated as being connected from the main |8| through a lead23d through a circuit maker 236, a relay 23?, and a circuit breaker 238to the main |82. It will be understood that when the circuit maker 236is actuated by a downgoing car approaching a despatch station thiscircuitl is completed through the relay 231 which actuates the switches239 and 24|, thereby completing a circuit'from g theV main |8| `throughthe lead 23| and the motor 33 in this instance andthe lead `232 to themain |82. The solenoid brake 84 is againuactuated` as before. ,After thearticle engaging means A'lll has been actuated to transfer an articleonto a passing `car and the arms 8|ireturnjto `their position of restsubstantially as shown in Fig. 9, these arms actuate the circuit breaker238 which breaks the circuit Vthrough the holdingA relay 237` thereby4causing the switches 239 and 24| to open and thusbreaking the moany manskilled in this art, wheninformed'byl this specification, willunderstand clearly the manner in which these Vparts are to be arrangedwhen the -apparatus is installed. While twoembodiments of this inventionhave been -shown and describedherein it will be understood that we arenot limited thereto and that'` other embodiments may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope ofthe `invention: as set forth inthe following claims.

1. Astationforl loading a vertically traveling elevatoncar. comprising`a pivotally mounted load bythe car. andsubstantially in unisontherewith,

and means for moving a load from the platform onto the car as the latterpasses the platform. 2; In a system comprising a vertically travelingVelevator-car, the combination of an article transfer station comprisingan article sustaining platform mounted for pivotal movement between aposition out. ofthe path of travel of the car land `an articletransferring position wherein an edge yportion of the platform vprojectsinto the path of travelof the car to be movable by the latter on`engagement therewith, means tending' to" return the platform and tomaintain the same in the former of thesey positions, releasablemeansforlocking the platform in this position, the platform Abeing .1movable on release of the locking means and under the iniluence of theweight of an article resting thereon, to its article transferringposition. l Y

3. Ina system comprising a vertically traveling elevator car, thecombination of an article transfer station comprising an articlesustainling platform movably mounted to move from an inclined positionout of the path of travel of the car to an article transferring positionwherein` anouter'portion of the platform intercepts the path of travelof the carand then to a further position out of the path of travel ofthe car, and yieldable means for holding the platform in the articletransferring position, such meansbeing. suiiiciently yieldable to permitthe platform to move from the article transferring positionto saidfurtherposition.

i .4. Ina vsystem comprising a vertically traveling elevator car, thecombination of an article transfer station comprising an articlesustaining platform pivotally mounted to move between oppositelyinclined positions out of the path of tr'avelof` the car through anarticle transferring position wherein the outer portion of the platformextends into the path of travel of the car, the platform being movable,under the influence ofthe weight of an article'disposedthereon, from oneof the inclined positions to the article transferring position, av leverengageable with the platform when the latter is in the articletransferring position, the lever being `capable of movef' ment with theplatform from the latter position to the other of thev inclinedpositions, means tending vto urge-.the lever toward the platform forholding the latter in the article transferring position, and means forlimiting movement of the lever toward the platform so that the leverdoes not become effective until the platform arrives substantially atthe article transferring position.

In a`A system comprising a vertically traveling elevator carjthelcombination ofa :movably mounted article receiving platform, thisplatform being movable from an Vinclined position voutr of the path oftravel of the car 'to an article Atransferring position wherein the edge,portion `of the platform extends yinto the path of travel of the car,an article delivering chute depending above the platform, the deliveryend of the chute being disposed at a height above the inclined positionof the platform which height is less than that of articles to bedelivered thereto so that the chute may be effective for holding adelivered article on the inclined platform, the wall of the ychuteadjacent the .traveling car being cut away topermit articles to passtherethrough for delivery to the car, :and means movable between thedelivery end of the chute and the platform for moving an article acrossthe platform through the cutaway portion :of `the chute and onto apassingr car..

6. In a system comprising a vertically traveling elevator car, thecombination of ya Ipivotally mounted article `receiving platform, thisplatformbeing movable about its pivotalmounting from an inclinedposition out of the path of travel of the car `to an varticletransferring posi-tion wherein the edge portion of the platform extendsinto the path'oi travel of the car, an articledelivering chute dependingabove the platform, the

'. delivery end of the chutevbeing disposed lat a height above theinclined position vof the .platform which height is less than that ofarticles to be delivered thereto so that the chute may be effective forholdingv a delivered article on the inclined platform, the Ywall of thechute .adjacent the traveling car being cut away to permit articles topass therethrough for delivery to the car, releasable means for lockingthe platform in the inclined position, the platform being otherwisemovable, lunder the influence of the weight of an article disposedthereon, tothe article transferring positiomand means effective yonrelease lof the releasable locking means for obstructing the chute at apoint above'an .article disposed on the platform for preventing deliveryof another article until transfer ofthe first'is effected.

'7. In a system comprising a vertically traveling elevator car, thecombination of a pivotally mounted article receiving platform, this platform being movable about its Apivot :between .an inclined position outof kthe path of travel of Vthe carto `an article transferringposition'wherein an edge portion of the platform substantially registerswith va passing car, an article delivering chute having its delivery endvspaced .above the inclined position of the platform for deliveringarticles thereto, releasable ,means for locking .the platform in theinclined position, the platform being otherwise movable, under theinfluence ,of the weight @of an .article Adisposedthereon, to` thearticle transferring position, meanseiective on release of thereleasable locking means for obstructing the chute to pre-vent delivery-o-f another article before one such article has been removed from theplatform, article engaging `means movable beneath the chute from oneside thereof across the platform, means for causing the article engagingmeans to travel from said one side of the chute across the platform .andto return to a position of rest at `said one side of .the chute, meanseffective on the initiation of `this ino-veg ment for locking thereleasable locking means v in its release position, and means effectiveas the article engaging .meansreturns toits position-of rest 'forunlocking the releasable locking means from its release position.

8; -Ina conveyer system comprising a vertically traveling elevator car,an article loading station comprising a cabinet having a plurality ofinlets in ai upper wall thereof, a chute depending from each inlet, apivotally Vmounted platform disposed below each chute, each platformbeing movable between an upwardly inclined article receiving positionand a lower article transferring position, each platform having aportion extending rearwardly beyond' the pivotal mounting thereof,acounterbalance weight on this rearwardly extending portion, a rotaryshaft disposed along the rear sides of the platforms, an operating1lever fast on this shaft and projecting outside ,the cabinet, aplurality of arms fast on therotary shaft and spaced for engagement withthe rearwardly extending .portions of the platforms,means vtending tohold the rotary shaft in a position to maintain the arms above therearwardly extending portions of the platforms for locking the `latterin their upwardly inclined positions, the arms being movable onoperation of the lever to a position to the rear of the rearwardlyextending portions of the platforms so that the latter may descend totheir article transferring positions, a rod connected to the opera+ inglever and disposed substantially parallel to the rotary shaft, eachchute having an opening approximately .opposite this rod, bars pivotallymounted on the rod and spaced therealong for movement through theseopenings, the parts being solconstructed and arranged that, when theoperating `lever is actuated to remove the arms from their positionsabove the rearwardly extending portions of the platforms, the bars aremoved into the chutes to obstruct the passage of articles therethrough.

-.9. rIn .a ,system of the class described, an article loading stationcomprising a pivotally mounted platform movable from an upper articlereceiv ing vposition to a lower article transferring position, a rockshaft, an arm fast on this shaft and movable intothe path of movement ofthe platform for vholding the latter in its upper position, a cam faston the rock shaft, a latch engageable with the cam :for holding theshaft in position tokeep thearm :out of the path of movement of theplatform, means tending to urge the latch into engagement with l,thecam, .article engaging means movable from a position of rest at the rear-of lthe platform across the latter for transferring articles therefrom,the article engaging means vbeing engageable with the latch when linsaid position of ,rest for holding the latch out of engagement with thecam as well as for releasing the y.latch from the cam as the articleengaging means returns to such position.

10. Ina conveyer system, the combination o-f a traveling car, an articleloading station adjacent the path of travel ,of .the car, the stationcomprising an articlereceiving platform, means for' supporting theplatform for movement from an upper article ,receiving position spacedfrom the path of travel vof .the car to a lower article transferringV,position wherein the outer edge of the platform substantiallyregisters with a passing car, abutment .means effective in one positionfor holding vvthe platform in the upper position, the abutment meansbeing Amovable to .another position toppermit the platform to descend tothe artiole `transferring position, `a member for moving theabutmentmeans, article engaging means for moving 'anarticle :from: the.,platformontoa p ass- 75 ing car, a motor for actuatingthearticleengaging means, an electrical circuitforcontrolling the motor, a circuitmaker in this `circuit and dis. posed in the. pathof cars approachingthestation to be `actuatedby engagement; with such cars, a switch in thiscircuit, and means for closingv the switch as said member is actuated toremovez the abutment means from` said one position, the switch beingopen when the abutment means is in the latter position;` i Y 11. In aconveyer system, the combination of a traveling car, an articleloadingstation adjacent the 'path of travel of the car,` the stationcom-v prisingan article receiving platform, means for supporting theplatform for movement between an upper article receiving position spacedfrom the path of travel ofthe caranda lower article transferringposition wherein an "outer edge of the platform substantially registerswith a passing car, a chutefor delivering articles to the platform,movable means for obstructing the chute, releasable means. for lockingthe platform in its upper position, means for concomitantly actuatingthe movable means to obstruct the delivery chute and for releasing `thereleasable locking means so that the platform may descend to its articletransferringposition, and means thereafter effective for transferring anarticle from the platform onto a passing car.

12. An article loading station comprising a vplatform for receivingarticles to be loaded, an

arm mounted to pivot, article engaging means carried by the arm andadapted to swing across the platform for removing articles therefrom,and means for imparting an oscillatory motion to the arm fortransferring articles from the platform.

13. A conveyer system comprising a vertically traveling car, a transferstation adjacent the path of travel of the car, oscillatory ejectingmeans carried by the car and movable transversely substantially fromside to side thereof, abutments spaced alternately along the sides ofthe path of travel of a car approaching the station, the first abutmentbeing engageable with the ejecting means for moving the latter to oneside of the car to eject an article at the rst platform, the secondabutment being thereafter engageable with the ejecting means forreturning the latter to the other side of the car.

14. In a car for conveying materials vertically, the combination ofmeans providing a compartment having open ends, a member carried by thecar and movable through the compartment between the ends thereof forejecting material therefrom, and means tending to maintain said memberadjacentA either of the ends of the compartment in position fortraversing the latter and thereby ejecting material therefrom.

15. A car comprising a frame having open sides for receiving andvdischarging articles laterally,

substantially vertical transverse partition meml bers extending'betweenthe sides to provide a plurality of article carrying compartments, ashaft extending beneath the compartments and fixed to theframe, aplurality of blocks rotatably supported on the shaft, there being oneblock for substantially vertical transverse partition members extendingbetween the sidesxto provide a plurality of compartmentsk `having openAends,` a rotary `block below each compartment; armsy eX- tendingupwardly from each block alongthe side walls of each compartment,:article engaging means carriedby these arms, a pair Yof arms af- Xed toeach block and extending substantially perpendicularly tothe upwardlyextending arms, the arms of this pair being. of Vsubstantially the samelength and each extending for substantially the same distance on eitherside of the block, one of the latter Yarms being disposed above the axisof the block'and theother being disposed below this axis. Y i

- 17. In a vertical conveyer system comprising a" car Y.having asubstantially vertical course of travel; an article despatching stationand a plurality: of article receiving stations disposed along thecourseof travel of` thecar, the combinationv of article ejecting means carriedby the car for transferring articles from the car to the receiv ingstations, movable abutment means disposed substantially `at eachreceiving station for actuating the article ejecting means, the abutmentmeans being normally disposed in a position to clear the article`ejecting means, and means at the despatching station operable as thecar passes this station for moving the abutment means at a predeterminedreceiving station into a position to actuate the article ejecting meansas the car passes that station.

18. In a vertical conveyer system comprising a car having asubstantially vertical course of travel, an article despatching stationand a plurality of article receiving stations disposed along this courseof travel, the combination of article ejecting means carried by the carfor transferring articles therefrom to the receiving stations, movableabutment means disposed substantially at each receiving station foractuating the article ejecting means, the abutment means being disposednormally in a position to clear the article ejecting means, a timingdevice for actuating the abutment means at a selected receiving stationafter a predetermined time interval to cause that abutment vmeans tomove into a position to actuate the article ejecting means as the carpasses thatstation, and means at the despatching station for actuatingthe timing device as the car passes this station.

19. In a vertical conveyer system comprising a car having asubstantially vertical course of travel, an article despatching stationand a pluralityof article receiving stations disposed along this courseof travel, the combination of article ejecting means carried by the carfor transferring articles therefrom to the receiving stations, movableabutment means disposed substantially at the receiving stations foractuating the article ejecting means, the abutment means being disposednormally in a position to clear the article 'ejecting means, a timingdevice for actuating a predetermined abutment means to move the latterinto a position to actuate the article ejecting means as the car passesa certain receiving sta-

